For remedial students, algebra or statistics? Pass rates are very low for community college students placed in remedial math, typically a review of elementary algebra. Students are more likely to pass college-level, for-credit statistics than remedial algebra. (The Hechinger Report)

Millennials’ Latest College Funding Strategy While older parents might think it’s bad manners to ask for a specific gift — such as a college-savings check — at a baby shower, younger parents are absolutely okay with it. (Forbes via NAICU)

Schools eye beer sales for help Some cash-strapped athletic departments outside the Power Five conferences have started to use beer sales as an alternative revenue stream — and more could soon be following suit. (ESPN via University Business)

About the blogger

Alex Friedrich reports on higher education issues for MPR News. Among the stories he has covered: the fall of the Berlin Wall, aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, 2003 Moscow suicide bombing and 2004 presidential elections in the Republic of Georgia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a master’s in European political economy from the London School of Economics.